AI Reveals New Insights into the Milky Way's Supermassive Black Hole

Published Date : 11/06/2025 

Astronomers have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to analyze discarded data from the Event Horizon Telescope, uncovering new characteristics of Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way. 

There may not yet be telescopes capable of unlocking all the secrets of supermassive black holes, but AI is now on the case. Recently, an international team of astronomers successfully trained a neural network with millions of black hole simulations to allow it to interpret fuzzy data captured from these enigmatic space objects in real life.

Of the various methods for investigating a black hole, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is the most famous. The EHT isn’t a single instrument but rather a network of radio telescopes around the world that work together like a single telescope. Thanks to the EHT, it’s been possible to obtain images of the supermassive black holes M87 and Sagittarius A*. These are not images in the traditional sense but instead are visualizations of radio waves coming from the black holes.

To create these images, supercomputers in different parts of the world processed the radio signals captured by the EHT. However, in the process, they discarded much of the information gathered, as it was difficult to interpret. The new neural network, trained by experts at the Morgridge Research Institute in Wisconsin, aims to tap into that sea of data to improve the resolution of the EHT’s readings and make new discoveries.

According to a press release from the institute, the artificial intelligence successfully analyzed the once-discarded information and established new parameters of Sagittarius A*, which sits at the center of the Milky Way. An alternative image of the black hole’s structure was generated, revealing some new characteristics of the black hole.

Researchers now suspect that the black hole at the center of the Milky Way is spinning at almost top speed. The new image also indicates that the black hole’s rotation axis points towards the Earth and gives clues about the causes and characteristics of the disks of material that circulate around the black hole.

Astronomers had previously estimated that Sagittarius A* rotates at a moderate to fast speed. Knowing its actual rotational speed is important, as it allows us to infer how the radiation around the black hole behaves and provides clues about its stability.

“That we are defying the prevailing theory is of course exciting,” lead researcher Michael Janssen, of Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands, said in the press release. “However, I see our AI and machine learning approach primarily as a first step. Next, we will improve and extend the associated models and simulations.”

The Morgridge Research Institute, a leading institution in the field of computational science, is dedicated to advancing research in various scientific domains. This breakthrough in AI and black hole research highlights the institute’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what we know about the universe.

The implications of this research are far-reaching, not only for our understanding of black holes but also for the broader field of astrophysics. By leveraging AI to process and analyze complex data, astronomers can uncover new insights that were previously hidden from view. This approach could pave the way for future discoveries and a deeper understanding of the cosmos. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)?

A: The Event Horizon Telescope is a network of radio telescopes around the world that work together to form a single, Earth-sized telescope. It is used to capture images of black holes, such as the supermassive black holes M87 and Sagittarius A*.

Q: How does AI help in black hole research?

A: AI, specifically neural networks, helps astronomers by processing and interpreting complex data that traditional methods often discard. This allows for the generation of higher-resolution images and the discovery of new characteristics of black holes.

Q: What new insights have been revealed about Sagittarius A*?

A: The AI analysis revealed that Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, is spinning at almost top speed. It also showed that the black hole’s rotation axis points towards Earth, providing clues about the behavior of the material disks around it.

Q: Why is knowing the rotational speed of a black hole important?

A: Knowing the rotational speed of a black hole is crucial because it helps infer how the radiation around the black hole behaves and provides insights into the black hole's stability and the dynamics of the surrounding environment.

Q: What is the next step in this research?

A: The next step is to improve and extend the models and simulations used in the AI approach. This will allow for even more precise and detailed analyses of black hole data, potentially leading to further groundbreaking discoveries. 

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